Katowice focuses on SCIENCE!

The title of European City of Science 2024 (ECoS 2024) awarded by the EuroScience and the European Commission is the result of the work of Katowice and seven public universities which established the Academic Consortium – Katowice City of Science.

One of the crowning arguments was the fact that Katowice has been, for years, successfully organising the Silesian Science Festival – one of the largest popular science events in Europe. It is not only an event but also a well-planned, joint effort of the scientific community to create a platform for cooperation for civic science.

Science is a new natural resource of the region

The future is planned and built through education. This is the essence of the European City of Science in Katowice – to create a lasting connection between the local and scientific communities at Katowice universities. The city is ready for a new transformation, this time with help of science. It means, among other things, providing residents with an unlimited access to knowledge and making it a basic tool for civil dialogue. Thanks to ECoS, the city can present Silesian science on the European research arena.

It is also significant to bring science closer to residents and make friends with them, to experience the direct and real impact it has on our everyday life and its benefits on the community. Another crucial aspect is integration of the academic, educational and economic groups at the regional level.

The Consortium came up with the idea of 50 thematic weeks which focus on 6 paths of the European City of Science: health, quality of life, climate, environment, industries of the future, social innovation, industrial and cultural heritage, and creation and criticism. And all of this at four levels: the local, regional, national and the European one.

ECoS is based on 3 foundations:

• the year-long celebration program focuses on 50 problems of Polish and world science and their solutions have a direct impact on our lives;
• scientific excellence – the international scientific conference Euro Science Open Forum is planned in June – a European platform for discussion about the future of science with representatives of the world of science;
• infrastructure of the City of Science, i.e. a plan to create Green Science Zone in Katowice and a Network Science Centre in the region run by the Consortium. The heart of changes and the axis for the planned infrastructure is the Rawa River and the need to return it to the residents.

This event includes meetings, conferences, congresses and festivals, held at the universities and in the city throughout the year. This project also features the Kato Science Corner, opened last September, which is an increasingly popular meeting place for residents and scientists.

What really matters is that students are also involved – high school students and technical school students who, in several months, will attend our universities.

The title is not only prestigious but it also signals that it is worth studying in Katowice.

Youth in the modern city of science

For years the unemployment rate in the city has been the lowest whereas the specialised jobs are open to graduates, who can start them even before their graduation. This is where the market for IT services and new technologies is developing. It is in Katowice where the "Wieczorek" Coal Mine is being transformed into the Katowice Gaming and Technology Hub, which will increase Katowice's competitiveness on the IT services market. This complex will be a response to the needs of the gaming industry. It will offer space to technology companies, game developers, i.e. game producers, the esports community, which deals with organising games, tournaments and broadcasting.

ECoS includes a special section for ambitious representatives of the young generation – the City of Science program for the young. Its aim is to provide them with space to express themselves and their involvement in social and scientific activities. The program is tailored to the needs of young residents and will create a place where they want to stay and develop their future. It consists of debates and science events for young people (school competitions, high school students' shows, student science clubs), student and doctoral conferences, workshops, student carnival, parties, balls, entertainment events and other activities.

There are 2 events of key importance for young people:

• The EUCYS competition (EU Contest for Young Scientists) presents an opportunity for scientists to show their skills.

It is addressed to people between 14 and 21 who have not yet completed the first semester of a bachelor degree. In 2024, the 35th edition of this event will take place in Katowice. Its aim is to promote cooperation and exchange of knowledge

between young researchers. The winners are students with the best scientific achievements from Europe and affiliated countries. The finalists will receive attractive financial prizes, internships in leading European research centres and the opportunity to take part in the Nobel Prize ceremony in Stockholm.

• EU TalentOn competition, held by the European Commission. Teams of scientists aged 2135, from European countries and those associated with Horizon Europe, develop solutions to global problems, related to 5 missions of the European Union.

From a national point of view, the title of European City of Science will highlight the tourist attractiveness of Katowice and its importance as an academic centre, which should translate into increased recognition of the city and Silesian universities. Each of 50 weeks has its own curator who is an expert in a selected field. Curators, together with academic staff, students, PhD students and representatives of the university, ensure the diversity of activities offered to residents. Each week includes attractions for children, teenagers and seniors.

The initiative that builds future

The European City of Science Katowice 2024 will, of course, focus on the capital of the Silesian Province, but there will also be opportunities for residents from the region, which is reflected the slogan that ‘science knows no borders’.

Why is ECoS 2024 an essential event for Katowice? The importance lies in the city's recognition that, in today's world, progress is achievable only through science. Katowice is constructing a community where engaging with science becomes natural and inherent, serving as a means to address everyday challenges.

Science is not just the driving force behind all transformations; it is also a captivating journey navigating through the human mind, cutting-edge technologies, and evolving AI. Science encapsulates both the present and the future – the new coal of Katowice. A modern city is one built upon the foundations of science.

Of course, there is more. We invite you to check out the events at: us.edu.pl/en/europejskie-miasto-nauki/

Photo: UMK

This article comes from magazine:
FOCUS ON Business #15 March-April (2/2024)